Wed, 2nd Mar, 2016 Brownhill Creek Van Park, Mitcham, SA (exploring Adelaide City)

Nice morning waking up with lots of birds chirping. The hills on each side block the sun coming up and going down.

Steve and Rick headed off to find gold at Jupiter Creek. Leanne & I drove down to the Edinburgh Hotel to park the car then catch the bus into town. While we waited I wandered around the park reading the history signs about Mitcham (1850s).

Got senior discount today but we will ride for free for the next 4 days using our V8 tickets which is great. After 28 stops over the 7km into the city we got off at the intersection of King William Road and North Terrace. Walked around the corner to find where the V8 bus leaves from. It is supposed to be near the Casino/Railway Station. No signs anywhere!!

Went into the Casino for a look – very nice decor – huge chandeliers etc but I couldn’t take photos in the gaming rooms!! Found the bistro and a balcony – looking across to another old building.

Margaret rang – she will meet us in Rundle Mall later. We wandered down North Terrace to Government House (1837) – fancy gate.

The Limestone walls were restored in 1987 after standing since 1845 and 1862 when they were erected.

Climbed on the retaining wall to see over the wall for a photo.

Great sculpture of Dame Roma Mitchell who was Governor of SA.

Nice walk down the tree-lined North Terrace.

Next statue was of Matthew Flinders. A few of the locals chilling out.

On the footpath were plaques of important people.

The War Memorial is having a facelift.

Edward VII – King and Emperor – 1901 to 1910.

Love all the old buildings.

Pigeon park!!

Back into King William Street and along to Rundle Mall with Haig’s Chocolates on the corner.

Margaret said it is called Beehive Corner as there is a bee on the roof and everyone uses it as a meeting spot. The year 1896 is below the bee.

Cute pigs in the Mall since 1999. I am patting Horatio. Truffles is in front, Oliver is eating out of the bin and Augusta is bringing up the rear.

Found Margaret and headed back around to the corner of KW and North Terrace again to have lunch at Jamie’s Italian (Jamie Oliver) which is in an old Westpac Bank building. Margaret and Gary had eaten in one in London and she said this one is decked out exactly the same.

The pasta is made right in front of us. Great lunch though very noisy with the high ceilings and lots of people.

Our waiter said to make sure we went to the toilet!! Now we see why – it is in the bank’s vaults.

Loved the toilet inventors name – Crapper.

Complete with the time-locked vault.

We then went back around the corner and up an elevator to the 6^th floor then onto another elevator to the 8^th floor to a roof-top bar. Great views though a bit warm in the sun. They had misters misting water over the patrons.

Looking north over the River Torrens. Looks like smoke from a fire in the distance.

Zoomed in on St Peters Cathedral.

Better view of Government House.

Walked to the other edge for a view down North Terrace to the Casino.

Looking down on New Parliament House.

The little old Parliament House next to it.

Back down to the Mall where we wandered around checking out the shops. Stopped in the Info Centre to ask about the V8s buses but they didn’t know much. Wandered through the huge Myers – the girls would love it!! A couple of old buildings still exist among all the new ones.

Lots of street artists which is part of the Fringe Festival on at the moment too. One was a magician from Korea – he was very good. This French guy had a big crowd and started off flipping the hats onto his head and then a break-dance but then he was doing a lot of talking so we didn’t wait to see what the actual act was.

Great mural on a side street.

Adelaide is known as the City of Churches but of course they are all closed so we can’t see the beautiful windows etc. Around Chalmers Church (1851).

Found our bus stop to head home but as it was 5pm it was slow going and the traffic was doing its best to block the road for the bus!!

Back to the car then the short drive back to the van park. The boys were back but empty handed unfortunately though they had a nice day. Lots of old mines etc to check out. Rick was using Steve’s other detector and thought he was onto a good one but it was just alfoil.

Relaxed with a glass of wine before cooking dinner. Malcolm rang for a chat as he is racing at Winton this weekend.

A few possums decided to have an argument in the tree next to our van. Light shower of rain as we headed off to bed.